|

Home

Facial Plastic Surgery
Breast Surgery
Body Contouring
Skin Cancer
Skin Lesion Removal
Muscle Relaxing Injections
Matthew Potter
RESEARCH
SAFETY
CHARITY WORK

CONTACT

|

Breast Uplift | Mastopexy

Pregnancy, breast feeding, weight loss, and the natural process of ageing all change the breast in the same way: volume decreases, the skin envelope stretches, and the breast narrows, loses projection, and descends. The breast may still have good tissue — it has simply lost the structure that held it in position.

Mastopexy restores that structure. By reducing and tightening the skin envelope and elevating the breast tissue on the chest wall, Mr Matthew Potter restores projection, height, and a more youthful breast shape — without implants, using your own tissue.
Book a Consultation

Why Mr Potter

16 years performing breast surgery

Superomedial pedicle technique preserving nipple and areolar sensation

Average post-operative stay: 1 night

Return to office work: 2 weeks on average

PHIN patient satisfaction score: 99%

PHIN is an independent government audit of consultant patient outcomes, randomly sampling post-operative patients. A 99% satisfaction score places Mr Potter among the highest-rated plastic surgeons in the country.

Our Technique

Mastopexy can be performed through an incision around the areola only, or through a more extensive approach that also runs beneath the breast. Mr Potter uses the latter.

The reason is access. An incision around the areola alone limits how much the surgeon can reach and reposition the underlying breast tissue. By extending the incision to the base of the breast, Mr Potter gains direct control of the breast tissue itself — allowing him to elevate it to a greater degree and achieve a more complete, longer-lasting result.

Why incision choice matters

Mr Potter uses a superomedial pedicle technique with a lateral nerve pedicle. This approach is specifically designed to maintain the nerve supply to the nipple and areolar complex throughout the procedure, preserving sensation in the long term. To date he has not had a patient with long-term loss of sensation to this area.

Preserving nipple sensation

Patient Imagery

KD-mastopexy-pre-op_
KD-mastopexy-post-op-at-6-months_
pre-op-Laura-G_
mastopexy-abdominoplasty-LG-post-op_
Mastopexy-1-Pre-Op
Mastopexy-1-Post-Op
EM-pre-op-mastopexy-
EM-post-op-mastopexy-
EM-mastopexy-post-op-lateral-
EM-mastopexy-pre-op-lateral-

Your Recovery

What to Expect

Recovery from mastopexy is generally well tolerated. Some swelling and tightness in the first week is normal and expected. Wound tapes will begin to peel off after a few days and can be trimmed at home.

Recovery Timeline

Day 1 – Drains removed if used; sports bra fitted; shower with tape in place

Days 1–2 – Oral pain relief as needed — most patients need it for two days only

Days 3–5 – Wound tapes begin to peel; trim at home as needed

10 days – Wound check; non-absorbable areolar sutures removed

3 weeks – Review with Mr Potter

3 months – Final result review

8 weeks – Sports bra and avoidance of underwired bras until this point

Do's & Don'ts

  • Wear a supportive soft sports bra day and night for 8 weeks following the procedure
  • Avoid underwired bras for at least 8 weeks following complete wound healing
  • Shower the day after surgery with tape in place; wash thoroughly and allow to air dry
  • Avoid strenuous exercise for 6 weeks
  • Avoid lifting heavy weights for 6 weeks
  • Do not drive until you can safely perform an emergency manoeuvre
  • Return to normal activities at 8 weeks

The Procedure

Mastopexy is performed under general anaesthetic and takes approximately three to four hours. Your breasts will be marked before surgery and you will have the opportunity to ask any final questions before going to theatre.

Drains are sometimes placed within the surgical site to remove any excess fluid — these are typically removed the following morning, after which most patients are ready to go home. Average post-operative stay is one night. On the first day following the procedure you will be put into a sports bra.

Wounds are covered with skin-coloured tape only — no bulky dressings. The tape can be showered the day after surgery. Most sutures are absorbable; a small number around the areola are removed at ten days. Raised wound edges from the deeper sutures will flatten at around one month, producing the optimal long-term scar.
Mr Potter will discuss all risks with you in detail during your consultations. Risks associated with mastopexy include:
  • Swelling and bruising — expected; settles over the first few weeks
  • Scarring — scars run around the areola, vertically to the base of the breast, and horizontally along the base in an inverted T or anchor pattern; they settle and fade significantly over time; rarely these scars can be lumpy or raised
  • Infection or wound breakdown — less than 5%; most likely at the base of the breast at the junction of the scars; managed with dressings at the hospital
  • Changes in nipple or areolar sensation — Mr Potter’s superomedial pedicle technique is specifically designed to preserve the nerve supply to the nipple; some temporary change is possible in the early recovery period; to date he has not had a patient with long-term loss of sensation to this area
  • Loss of nipple — exceptionally rare
  • Fat necrosis — rare; loss of fat volume after the procedure that may cause lumps or an oily discharge; managed with dressings or massage
  • Asymmetry — rare; Mr Potter will assess both breasts carefully before and during surgery; different volumes of tissue may be removed from each breast to correct pre-existing asymmetry
  • Haematoma — rare; drains are used where appropriate to minimise this risk
  • Potential inability to breast feed — the procedure affects breast tissue and ductal structures; patients who wish to breast feed in future should discuss this with Mr Potter before proceeding
  • DVT / pulmonary embolus — as with any procedure under general anaesthetic; specialist stockings and blood-thinning injections are provided during your stay
  • Further procedures — where any adjustments are needed, Mr Potter and his hospital teams are happy to facilitate further surgery to ensure you are happy with your result

What Patients Say

I’m coming up to 10 weeks post op following a breast lift, tummy tuck and 3 moles removed (in one surgery), with Matthew, and I have been so pleased with the whole process from start to finish along with the brilliant results he’s achieved. I couldn’t recommend Matthew more; he took plenty of time to explain the procedures and answered my questions, I felt completely at ease throughout the process. The aftercare, both in hospital and follow up appointments, has been great and the results achieved are everything I could have hoped for.
A huge and heartfelt thanks for everything you have done for me.
Mr Potter has been incredible throughout my treatment with him. He explains every single thing in a reassuring way. The surgery he performed was in a relaxing manner and the cosmetic result is perfect. I would have no hesitation in recommending Mr Potter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is mastopexy?

Mastopexy is the surgical term for a breast uplift. It reduces and tightens the skin envelope around the breast and repositions the breast tissue higher on the chest wall, restoring projection and a more youthful shape. It does not add volume — if volume increase is also wanted, a combined mastopexy and augmentation may be appropriate.

Yes. Where volume loss is also a concern, Mr Potter can perform a mastopexy alongside breast augmentation to both restore shape and increase volume. He will discuss whether a combined approach is appropriate for you during consultation.

Mastopexy does involve permanent scars — around the areola, running vertically to the base of the breast, and horizontally along the base. Mr Potter places incisions to minimise their visibility and scars typically fade significantly over the first year. He will show you examples and explain what to expect during consultation.

Mr Potter uses a superomedial pedicle technique with a lateral nerve pedicle, specifically designed to maintain the nerve supply to the nipple and areolar complex. To date he has not had a patient with long-term loss of sensation to this area. Some temporary change in sensation is possible in the early recovery period.

The procedure affects breast tissue and ductal structures and may affect the ability to breast feed. Patients who wish to breast feed in future should discuss this with Mr Potter before proceeding.

Most patients return to office-based work within two weeks. Drains, where used, are removed the day after surgery. Non-absorbable sutures are removed at ten days. Mr Potter reviews you at three weeks and again at three months.

At the Manor Hospital in Oxford, Ridgeway Hospital in Swindon, Stratum Clinic in Wootton Oxfordshire, ProDerm in Cheltenham, and Interface Business Park in Royal Wootton Bassett.

Book a Consultation

Contact us if you have any health concerns or are looking to get a consultation. You can contact Matthew Potter by using the form below or contact him through one of the available telephone numbers or email addresses listed on this page.

Private Secretary & All Correspondence

T. 07917 965717

Swindon - Ridgeway Hospital

T. 01793 814848

Cheltenham - ProDerm, Festival House

T. 0800 0489230

Oxfordshire - Stratum Clinic,
Wootton Business Park

T. 01865 320790

Wiltshire - Interface Business Park, Royal Wootton Bassett

T: 0808 2803560

Oxford - The Manor Hospital

T. 01865 307777

Contact Lissie on 07917 965717 or use the form below.